Anyone on here do any work with gas fireplaces?

[talisman]

You're going to lose a lot of heat going to gas. What is your reason for wanting to replace with decorative logs? Why not just use the gas to start your fire, then shut it off?


You can get those keys at HD.

It's a constant PITA fighting with wood as much as I use my fireplace, and as much as I enjoy using wood and stoking the fire. I probably had about 30-40 fires this winter, a few times burning all day long. That's a lot of bending, lifting, and other shit I generally shouldn't be doing, not even taking into account the big mess it makes and the constant thin dusting of ash all over the house that always needs to be cleaned.

I've finished burning through the wood that was left when I bought the house from a huge tree being taken down. I'm having the concrete pad demo'ed when my patio addition starts getting built, and putting in a garden in that area where it was. I won't have to buy wood every year, and this will eventually pay for itself just with that savings, plus I won't be risking injuring myself further. There were several times where I over did it and was out of commission for a day recovering. My energy bills are pretty small, so this is more for aesthetic value and ambiance than anything else.

[Rick Modena]

That's a lot of bending, lifting, and other shit I generally shouldn't be doing, not even taking into account the big mess it makes and the constant thin dusting of ash all over the house that always needs to be cleaned.

My current crib has the gas logs and it rocks! No more fucking with all that shit you just posted! Just flip the switch and it turns on, no more babysitting it or worrying about going to sleep and a fire starting. It may not put out the same btu's as a real fire but its consistent and reliable.

[mstng86]

Are the gas logs supposed to change color at all? Ours kind of has a burnt look to them after using them a lot this winter.

[bcoop]

It's a constant PITA fighting with wood as much as I use my fireplace, and as much as I enjoy using wood and stoking the fire. I probably had about 30-40 fires this winter, a few times burning all day long. That's a lot of bending, lifting, and other shit I generally shouldn't be doing, not even taking into account the big mess it makes and the constant thin dusting of ash all over the house that always needs to be cleaned.

I've finished burning through the wood that was left when I bought the house from a huge tree being taken down. I'm having the concrete pad demo'ed when my patio addition starts getting built, and putting in a garden in that area where it was. I won't have to buy wood every year, and this will eventually pay for itself just with that savings, plus I won't be risking injuring myself further. There were several times where I over did it and was out of commission for a day recovering. My energy bills are pretty small, so this is more for aesthetic value and ambiance than anything else.

Completely forgot about your bac, errr, vaginitis.

[TeeShock]

If you're going for the aesthetic vibe, fire crystals/rocks look killer. http://www.firecrystals.com/category-s/12.htm

[lowthreeohz]

I have a propane log setup and it puts off PLENTY of heat. I can only run it on low unless i want the downstairs to get up to 90*. we used it all winter long and kept the lower floor of the house at 77-78 easy. ventless btw, not sure if a vented fireplace would put out less heat/BTUs

[bcoop]

I have a propane log setup and it puts off PLENTY of heat. I can only run it on low unless i want the downstairs to get up to 90*. we used it all winter long and kept the lower floor of the house at 77-78 easy. ventless btw, not sure if a vented fireplace would put out less heat/BTUs

Propane burns nearly twice as hot as natural gas. Plus not having a vent helps tremendously.

For the rest of us that live near civilization and use natty gas, gas logs suck IMO. At least for the heat factor.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Propane burns nearly twice as hot as natural gas. Plus not having a vent helps tremendously.

For the rest of us that live near civilization and use natty gas, gas logs suck IMO. At least for the heat factor.

its a hell of a lot better than nothing.

[kingjason]

Propane burns nearly twice as hot as natural gas. Plus not having a vent helps tremendously.

For the rest of us that live near civilization and use natty gas, gas logs suck IMO. At least for the heat factor.

I have a fairly large fireplace and it runs on NG. This winter when our power went out I fired it up with no logs or anything in it since I gave all my fire wood to my mom. We were sweating in the living room and had to almost turn it off. I am going the gas log route this summer also. I think they put off plenty of heat.

[bcoop]

its a hell of a lot better than nothing.

Better than nothing, yes. I'm always without electricity for a couple weeks during storm season, and a week or two during winter after ice storms. I have a gas fireplace, but burn wood rather than the decorative logs, because it is my only heat source more often than I want it to be. My neighbor uses the decorative logs, and unless you are sitting/standing directly in front of it, you can't even tell it's on.

[Silverback]

during the ice storm and power outage this year, the gas fireplace in the living room kept the house a nice mid/low 70s without turning it all the way up.

No issues with keeping that room warm, now the rest of the house was ice cold

[Baron Von Crowder]

Better than nothing, yes. I'm always without electricity for a couple weeks during storm season, and a week or two during winter after ice storms. I have a gas fireplace, but burn wood rather than the decorative logs, because it is my only heat source more often than I want it to be. My neighbor uses the decorative logs, and unless you are sitting/standing directly in front of it, you can't even tell it's on.

I can tell mine is one from upstairs. Methinks your neighbor needs to rearrange the logs or something. Hell mine stays warm for an hour or two after we cut the gas off.

[talisman]

I ended up visiting a place off Cooper in Arlington called Hearth House and gave them the job. I'm having the whole thing finished out with lava rocks and the burning moss lookin' stuff, a chimney sweep, install, and 24" logs, with a lifetime warranty. Running around $975 total for everything, and should be in next Friday.

I'm sure that sounds expensive, but with all the add ons it adds up pretty quick, and according to them I've got a pretty large fireplace. Just the log set up I chose itself was nearly $600. Since I plan on staying in this house, and how much I use the fireplace every year, I feel comfortable I'll get the return on my investment within a few years.

An older lady helped me. I didn't get her name, but she knew her shit, and spent a lot of time explaining the various facets of dealing with a gas log set up and thoroughly went through all the options with me that I expressed interest in. She gets my highest marks in customer service. I haven't had that positive a retail experience in a long time. Hopefully the install next Friday goes just as smooth.

Are the gas logs supposed to change color at all? Ours kind of has a burnt look to them after using them a lot this winter.

They make a special cleaner for the logs that you should probably utilize every year if you use the fireplace much. It is about $9 a bottle.

I can tell mine is one from upstairs. Methinks your neighbor needs to rearrange the logs or something. Hell mine stays warm for an hour or two after we cut the gas off.

They had a bunch of set ups in the store and demonstrated the 3 I had interest in. There was PLENTY of heat.

[yellowstang]

Damn, you shoulda said something earlier about that place. I just threw away a 25% off coupon for them!


not really